Influence of Reinforcements on Mechanical and Tribological Behavior of Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites

The development of metal matrix composites (MMCs) has significantly advanced the performance capabilities of engineering materials, particularly in demanding applications such as aerospace, automotive, and marine industries. AL7075 aluminum alloy, renowned for its high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent corrosion resistance, has been widely used as a matrix material in MMCs. The incorporation of various reinforcements, such as ceramic particles (SiC, Al2O3, TiC), fibers, and hybrid materials, enhances the mechanical and tribological properties of AL7075 composites. This chapter provides a comprehensive review of recent studies on the influence of different types of reinforcements on the mechanical properties (such as hardness, tensile strength, and impact resistance) and tribological behavior (including wear resistance and friction coefficient) of AL7075 metal matrix composites. Furthermore, the effect of various processing techniques and reinforcement parameters on the microstructure and performance characteristics of these composites is discussed. The findings indicate that the type, size, and volume fraction of reinforcements significantly impact the overall properties of AL7075 MMCs, offering insights into optimizing composite design for specific applications. Future research directions are proposed to further enhance the performance and applicability of these advanced materials.